Myrmica rubra
Common Red Ant
Myrmica rubra, Common Red Ant. A small ant, living in colonies with a social heirarchy, usually under stones. One of the species that 'farm' Aphids, guarding them from predators and harvesting the sugary honeydew from them.
Photograph detail
Slide 1: Myrmica rubra, Common Red Ant. Cluster of ants with Aphids, Aphis fabae, on Creeping Thistle, Cirsium arvense. Disused railway, Hargill, Redmire. July.
Slide 2: Myrmica rubra, Common Red Ant. Ants with Aphids, Aphis fabae, on Creeping Thistle, Cirsium arvense. Disused railway, Hargill, Redmire. July.
Slide 3: Myrmica rubra, Common Red Ant. Ants with Aphids, Aphis fabae, on Creeping Thistle, Cirsium arvense. Disused railway, Hargill, Redmire. July.
Slide 4: Myrmica rubra, Common Red Ant. Ant taking hoenydew from Aphids, Aphis fabae, on Creeping Thistle, Cirsium arvense. Disused railway, Hargill, Redmire. July.